Preliminary Review

Dragonball Z: Burst Limit is incredibly entertaining.

Pros So Far:

  • Pretty good simple, straight-forward controls that handle well enough.
  • Visually appealing, game has the DBZ style down really well.
  • Story mode follows the story very closely.
  • "Drama Scene" sequences add fun DBZ-style touches to the fights
  • Good music and an intro song that I really dig.
  • Shot-for-shot cinematic of the "IT'S OVER 9000!!!" sequence.
  • Dual-audio options with all the original voice actors, more or less.
  • Interactive loading screens for the 12-15 second waits.
  • Would make for a good party game.

Cons So Far:

  • "Drama Scenes" require special conditions in-match to unlock; they don't tell you what they are. Gonna be a long time trying.
  • Game only goes up to Cell Saga; no Buu, no adult Gohan, etc.
  • Minor clothing inaccuracies in story mode for certain characters (eg. Vegeta wearing "Saiyan Saga" armour in his first "Namek Saga" level)
  • Certain voice clips seem to be off in the later parts of the game - will have to play more to be sure.
  • Lip flaps and voice work don't really fit that well - could be intentional or unworkable, haven't played with Japanese audio yet.
  • Certain moves (like "pursuit") sometimes feel hit & miss on pulling off.
  • Bonus modes (like "Survival Mode") don't seem too interesting and involve loading times.

Well, so far so good. Considering it's the latest in a long, long, long line of Dragonball Z fighting games, I gotta say it's doing the job pretty well. I do wish I had a nicer TV, though . . .

End